Girls state championship: Branson wins

A bittersweet moment for the Branson seniors, as they appear elated to have won for a second consecutive season, but sad to have played their last game. The team is huddled at halfcourt for a state champion photo. Thats all for now, check back in a few for the Branson boys game.

The Branson seniors are presented with the state title trophy, hoisting it up in a perfect photo opp.

In the end, the Bulls’ 17-5 third quarter run was the difference in the game. Sparked by the Bilney sisters and Polansky, the Bulls were unstoppable on both ends of the floor after halftime.

The awards ceremony is under way. Jenna Caruso wins the sportsmanship award for Mission Prep.

The girls all pour onto the court for a celebration, to the tune by the same name.

Mission Prep’s O’Connor makes a layup at the buzzer but its too late, and the Branson girls win the Division V state title over the Royals by the score of 51-39.

Rachael Bilney at the line for Branson, converts on both free throws and then comes out of the game to an even more rousing applause. She led all scorers with 23 points in her last high school game.

With 48 seconds left, coach Mike Fulton subs for Sam Bilney and Lauren Polansky, and they receive a nice applause from the Branson faithful.

Yetter scores for Mission Prep. She has 16 points on the day.

Branson runs the shot clock down and Bestwick draws a foul underneath. She misses the first free throw but connects on the second, 47-31 Branson with under a minute.

Yetter nets both free throws, 46-31 Bulls with under two minutes left.

Yetter draws a foul, at the line once again for the Royals.

Bestwick connects on both free-throw attempts, 46-29 Bulls.

The Royals can’t convert on the out-of-bounds play and commit a loose ball foul on the other end. Michela Bestwick at the line for the Bulls with a 44-29 lead with just over two minutes remaining.

The Royals’ Fernandez gets her own rebound underneath and draws a reaching foul.

Rachael Bilney battles underneath and gets fouled on her second put-back attempt. She connects on both shots from the stripe, 44-29 Branson.

Fernandez makes another basket to cut the Branson lead to 42-29 halfway through the fourth quarter.

Rachael Bilney leads the fastbreak and converts on a scoop layup while drawing a foul. She converts the free throw to make the score 42-27 Bulls.

Fernandez gets a put-back for Mission Prep, 39-27 Branson.

Ball gets stuck in between the rim and backboard on the Bulls side, but assistant coach John Bilney comes to the rescue to tip the ball out.

Yetter convertson the three-point play. She is now 6-7 from the line.

Yetter catches an inbounds pass underneath and gets the roll and the foul call. Three-point play opportunity.

Yetter with a strong move for the left handed bucket inside. Bulls lead 39-22.

Branson with possession at the start of the quarter, Rachael Bilney can’t hit an open three, Ally Warson picks up a loose-ball foul for the Bulls.

The third quarter comes to a close with the Bulls up big, 39-20, though you wouldn’t know it listening to coach Mike Fulton talk to them. One more quarter for the team’s seniors. The Bulls are just eight minutes away from making Marin County history by winning back-to-back state titles.

The Bulls press creates a turnover, but they give it right back. More sloppy play as Mission Prep throws the ball out of bounds. The Royals have not scored in over four minutes.

Rachael Bilney drives the baseline and draws another foul. She makes both free throws and has 12 points for the game.

Polansky fouled hard underneath the basket, she makes her first shot, misses the second. 37-20 Bulls.

Sam Bilney collects the rebound on her sister’s missed baseline jumper, draws an inside foul, and drains both her free throws.

Bilney converts on 1-of-2, 34-20 Branson.

Sam Bilney fouled hard on a jump shot, at the line shooting two.

Timeout Mission Prep with 3:37 left in the third quarter. With Polansky back in the lineup, the Bulls look much more imposing on both offense and defense. They have gone back to the full-court press, which is tiring out the Royals.

Rachael Bilney with a strong move to the hoop for the left-handed reverse layup. Czarnecki answers back for Mission Prep, but Bilney comes right back with a transition three, pushing the Branson lead to 33-20.

Polansky misses a point-blank layup attempt.

The Bulls turn the ball over once again.

Polansky with another steal on the defensive end, Bestwick draws the foul on the other end, Branson to inbiund.

Branson, all over the place on defense, forces the Royals into a shot clock violation. The Bulls turn the ball over right back to Mission Prep.

Tufts to Sam Bilney for another basket inside. Quick steal by Polansky on the full court press and yet another layup by Sam Bilney inside. 28-17 Bulls.

Cauruso scores a bucket for Mission Prep, but Sam Bilney answers right back with a nice left-handed layup to make the score 24-17 in favor of Branson.

Sam Bilney picks up her third foul on a ticky-tac call.

Polansky is back in the game, so it will be interesting to see how the Bulls offense responds.

The second half is under way, with Branson in posession. Quick jump ball, possession Mission Prep.

Rachael Bilney and Michela Bestwick are leading the way for Branson with seven points apiece.

Branson managed just six points in the second quarter, with four of those coming at the line. The absence of starting point guard Lauren Polansky has noticeably affected the Bulls’ offense. They have been playing more of a halfcourt game, rather than the run-and-gun style that they do so well when Polansky is in. Polansky should be back in there to start the second half, but will have to play carefully with the three fouls she’s carrying. On the Royals side, Mission Prep is running its offense through Leigh Yetter, who has gotten to the line three times and netted five of six free throws. Michela Bestwick has done a good job limiting her production thus far, but she leads the Royals with seven points.

Branson can’t convert at the buzzer and the score at halftime is Branson 22, Mission Prep 15.

Leigh Yetter with a pair of free throws for Mission Prep, 4-2 Branson.

Rachel Bilney scores a bucket for the Bulls to make it 4-0.

Branson wins the tipoff and Lauren Polansky scores on the first possession.

Despite having already won state last year, the Branson girls seem just as pumped as ever to be here.

We just had a rousing rendition of the national anthem and the girls are being announced. Not the biggest turnout of all time, but some very enthusiastic fans nonetheless.

Good morning from ARCO Arena in Sacramento. Vincent Tannura here to keep you updated on breaking news and scores from Branson vs. Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo. In addition to our coverage of the game, there is streaming audio available online at www.kbcsports.com. Stay glued to your monitor, as I’ll be updating this live blog frequently with updated information.